Mr Branston has applied to me on your account to make some designs from the Farmer's Boy and, presuming that he has your authority for the application, I have furnished him with one to begin. I have no doubt of his executing them very well. I write this particularly for the purpose of advising you to reject the present frontispiece and to substitute a new one, because the Poem all thro is a simple and faithful picture of English scenery and English character, and the figure of the Farmer's Boy, wherever introduced in the illustrations should be an English figure and not a piping shepherd of Arcadia. But I doubt not you have observed further, that the present frontispiece, tho' skilfully engraved, is not contrived for printing with effect. I shall expect your reply on this point. [1]

The plate I designed for Mr Branston and which I understand you have purchased, is from a manuscript of mine which I shall be glad to dispose of as soon as finished or to publish thro' your hands and take a due share of the results.